Approach plate for bowling alleys



June 5, 1934. A.-E. JAMES 1,961,765

APPROACH PLATE FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Dec. 2 1931 [Tovemorv 177 67711117 5 J0u77'? Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in bowling alleys.

The ordinary bowling alley consists of the alley proper with gutters on each side and an approach to the front end of the alley along which the bowler moves and slides as he is about to propel the ball along the alley. Between the approach and the entrance to the alley there is a foul line across which the bowler is not supposed to pass when delivering the ball to the alley, but it often happens that as the bowler slides along the approach to the alley he slides across the foul line and on to the front end of the alley, which is against the rules of the bowling game. Further- ].5 more, in sliding along the approach and along the front portion of the alley after a time the approach becomes worn and splintered and the entrance to the alley also is damaged in this manner, necessitating an expensive repair job to restore the approach and the alley to their original condition.

The object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the bowler will be prevented from sliding across the foul line and also the damage to the approach to the front portion of the alley and the entrance thereto will be eliminated.

To these ends the invention embodies therein a non-slip plate extending transversely of the approach to the alley and adjacent to the foul line. The invention further consists in the combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawing: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a bowling alley and approach embodying therein my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2--2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 33, Fig. 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts in the several views of the drawing.

In the drawing, 5 is the bowling alley as a whole comprising an alley 6 with gutters 7 extending longitudinally along the opposite sides thereof and division guards 8 located adjacent to the gutters and between adjacent alleys. 9 is the approach to the alley and 10 the foul line. 11 is the approach plate constituting the gist of this invention, the same being positioned adjacent to the foul line 10 and having flanges 12 on its opposite sides which project downwardly into the material of the approach and are fastened thereto by screws 13. The approach and the alley are made of planks 14 which are installed in the usual well-known manner. The upper surface of the approach plate 11 is imperforate and flush with the upper surface of the alley and the approach end of the bowling alley.

It has been found by practical use that the best material for the approach plate, in order to prevent the bowler from sliding across a foul line and on to the alley, while at the same time allowing his sliding to a certain extent without causing him to fall, is cast iron, the reason being that cast iron is porous and has a more or less rough surface as compared with other metals.

In using the device of my invention the bowler runs or takes a few rapid steps along the approach toward the alley and slides the last part of the way as he is about to project the ball on to the alley, and as he slides the non-slip plate 11 will bring him to a gradual stop before he crosses the foul line.

I claim:--

1. A bowling alley having, in combination, an alley, an approach forming a continuation of said alley at the forward end thereof, a foul line extending across between said alley and approach, a metal plate extending across said approach adjacent to and in advance of the foul line the upper surface of said plate being imperforate and flush with the upper surfaces of said alley and approach, and flanges on opposite sides of said plate projecting downwardly into said approach and fastened thereto.

2. A bowling alley having, in combination, an alley, an approach forming a continuation of said alley at the forward end thereof, a foul line extending across between said alley and approach, a metal plate of a width substantially greater than that of the foul line and extending across said approach adjacent to and in advance of the foul line, and flanges on opposite sides of said plate projecting downwardly into said approach and fastened thereto, the upper surface of said plate being imperforate and flush with the upper surfaces of said alley and approach.

ARTHUR. E. JAMES. 

